Ordinance to deal with skateboards introduced

June 15, 2004|By MARLO BARNHART

CLEAR SPRING - Residents and Town Council members - who are also residents - had stories to tell about skateboards, bicycles, roller skates and scooters on streets and sidewalks Monday night as as ordinance was introduced to regulate that growing problem.

The ordinance defines the types of vehicles, where they may not be ridden and what penalties could be applied if the rules are broken.

"I have been driving on the street near my house and sometimes the skateboarders won't let me pass," said Mayor Paul Hose Jr.

Don Reed, who lives at 16 Cumberland St., said he had a problem with a skateboarder near his home when he was working on flower beds near the curb. He said he has seen them riding straight down the town main street, which is U.S. 40, a major highway.

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The ordinance addresses main streets, back streets, parking lots and sidewalks, all where the items listed are prohibited.

Penalties can include impounding of the item, with a $10 fee for its return, as well as fines, Town Clerk Juanita Grimm said.

She said the ordinance drawn up by the town's attorney was patterned after a similar ordinance in place in several other Washington County towns.